Lawn colorant composition having rearing effects

ABSTRACT

A lawn colorant composition having rearing effects contains a pigment and an adhesive for the pigment. The pigment comprises a blue pigment composed as a primary component of a compound represented by the following formula: MFe[Fe(CN) 6 ] wherein M represents an alkali metal atom or an ammonium group, one of the two Fe atoms is a divalent ion, and the other Fe atom is a trivalent ion. The adhesive comprises a water-dispersed polymer and a water-soluble polymer having compatibility with said water-dispersed polymer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] a) Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a colorant composition for lawns, andmore specifically to a colorant composition which contains as a primarycomponent a colorant effective not only for coloring lawns but also forpromoting growth of the lawns and preventing aging of the lawns andwhich, when applied to color the lawns, the color so applied can remainfor a long time and does not stain other articles through rubbing.

[0003] b) Description of Related Art

[0004] As lawns wither into a yellow or light brown color in winter,colorant compositions with green or blue pigments contained therein haveconventionally been sprayed to keep the lawns look green.

[0005] In these colorant compositions, organic pigments and/or dyes suchas copper phthalocyanine blue pigments and copper phthalocyanine greenpigments have been employed for the purpose of coloring alone.

[0006] These conventionally-employed pigments and dyes are howeverintended merely to color lawns at their surfaces, and no physiologicaleffects for plants are observed on their coloring components themselves.

[0007] In these conventional colorant compositions, emulsions ofacrylate ester resins, vinyl acetate resins, ethylene-vinyl acetateresins or the like or emulsions of water-dispersible polymers, such assynthetic rubber latexes, are also used as adhesives for fixing coloringcomponents on turfgrass.

[0008] Incidentally, an emulsion of a polymer generally cannot formpolymer films at temperatures lower than its film-forming temperature,so that a coloring component, especially a pigment cannot be fixed onturfgrass. When a colorant is sprayed in winter, the temperature isoften so low that films cannot be formed with a pigment enclosed thereinunless a polymer the lowest film-forming temperature of which is lowerthan the surrounding temperature, or example, is 5° C. or lower is used.

[0009] In general, a polymer the lowest film-forming temperature ofwhich is low is still soft and tacky even after formation into films,and is hence accompanied by a potential problem that they may be rubbedto stain shoes and clothing or at golf courses, to stain equipments suchas balls and clubs.

[0010] With a view to improving the film-formability of aqueous emulsionpolymers at low temperatures, film-forming aids are therefore often usedin combination. Illustrative of film-forming aids are alkyl ethers andphenyl ethers of glycols and acetates of such ethers, and benzene ornaphthalene solvents containing hydrocarbon groups. These film-formingaids cause no problem when employed industrially, but they are notsuited for being sprayed over nature-oriented objects such as lawns andmoreover, are also accompanied by a problem from the standpoint of odor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present inventors have proceeded with an extensiveinvestigation with a view to overcoming the drawback that, when lawnsare colored with conventional colorant compositions at low temperatures,the colorant compositions are rubbed to stain golf balls and golfequipments and hence with a view to developing a lawn colorantcomposition the colorant of which acts not only to achieve coloring butalso to exhibit physiological effects (growth-promoting and anti-agingeffects) for the plant. As a result, it was found that the above objectcan be achieved by using, as an adhesive, a water-dispersed resin and awater-soluble resin in combination and also a coloring compositioncontaining a specific blue pigment as a coloring component. Based onthis finding, the present invention has now been completed.

[0012] To achieve the above-described object, the present inventionprovides a lawn colorant composition having rearing effects, said lawncolorant composition being composed of a pigment and an adhesivetherefor, wherein the pigment comprises a blue pigment composed as aprimary component of a compound represented by the following formula:MFe[Fe(CN)₆] wherein M represents an alkali metal atom or an ammoniumgroup, one of the two Fe atoms is a divalent ion, and the other Fe atomis a trivalent ion; and the adhesive comprises a water-dispersed polymerand a water-soluble polymer having compatibility with thewater-dispersed polymer.

[0013] Even when the lawn colorant composition according to the presentinvention as sprayed over a lawn is rubbed at a low temperature as aresult of its contact with an object, the lawn colorant composition doesnot stain the object. Moreover, the lawn colorant composition canachieve not only coloring of the lawn but also promotion of growth ofthe lawn and prevention of aging of the lawn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention will next be described in further detail bypreferred embodiments.

[0015] The blue pigment for use in the present invention is a pigmentwhich comprises, as a primary component, a compound represented by theformula: MFe[Fe(CN)₆], and its preferred average particle size rangesfrom 0.03 to 0.20 μm, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.10 μm.

[0016] In the above formula, M represents an alkali metal atom, such assodium or potassium, or an ammonium group, and one of the two Fe atomsis a divalent ion, and the other Fe atom is a trivalent ion.

[0017] The coloring component in the colorant composition according tothe present invention may be composed solely of a pigment whichcomprises as a primary component the compound represented by the aboveformula. To an extent not impairing the object of the present invention,however, another inorganic pigment or an organic pigment or dye may alsobe used in combination.

[0018] The colorant composition according to the present invention ischaracterized in that it comprises the above-described coloringcomponent and an adhesive and the adhesive is composed of awater-dispersed polymer and a water-soluble polymer.

[0019] Preferred examples of the water-dispersed polymer for use in thepresent invention can include polymer emulsions (or latexes) the lowestfilm-forming temperatures of which are in a range of from 0 to 100° C.,for example, vinyl acetate emulsion, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsions,acrylate ester polymer emulsions, acrylate ester copolymer emulsions,methacrylate ester polymer emulsions, methacrylate ester copolymeremulsions, and styrene copolymer emulsions. More preferred are syntheticresin emulsions the lowest film-forming temperatures of which are in arange of from 0 to 50° C.

[0020] Examples of the water-soluble polymer for use in the presentinvention can include those having compatibility with thewater-dispersed polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acidpolymers, acrylic acid copolymers, maleic acid resins, cellulose resins,starch, and chitosan.

[0021] The preferred proportion of the water-soluble polymer is in arange of from 1 to 30%, with a range of from 1 to 10 wt. % being morepreferred, both based on the water-dispersed polymer (solid content).

[0022] When the colorant composition according to the present inventionis stored over a long time, it is effective to use one or more ofvarious surfactants as a dispersant for the pigment. From anionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants, one or moresurfactants can be selected for use in the present invention in view ofthe dispersibility of the pigment and also their compatibility with thewater-dispersed polymer and water-soluble polymer. Non-ionic surfactantscan be mentioned as particularly preferred surfactants, although thepresent invention is not limited to the use of such non-ionic surfactantor surfactants. Further, defoaming agents, antiseptics, fungicides andthe like can also be added as needed.

[0023] Next, the present invention will be specifically described byExamples and Comparative Examples. It shall however be borne in mindthat the present invention is not limited by the Examples. Alldesignations of “part” or “parts” and “%” in the Examples are by weight.

EXAMPLE 1

[0024] Ten (10) parts of a Prussian blue (“Milori Blue 671”, trade name;product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 10 parts ofa disazo yellow AAOA (“Seika Fast Yellow 2400”, trade name; product ofDainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 0.5 part of an anionicsurfactant (“Demol EP”, trade name; product of Kao Corporation), 4.0parts of a non-ionic surfactant (“Emulgen A-90”, trade name; product ofKao Corporation), and 75.5 parts of water were dispersed in a beadsmill. To the resultant dispersion, 10 parts of a water-soluble polymer(“Jullimer AT-210”, trade name; product of Nihon Junyaku Co., Ltd.) wereevenly mixed, followed by the addition of 120 parts of a water-dispersedpolymer (“Boncoat 2310”, trade name; product of Dainippon Ink &Chemicals, Incorporated), whereby a lawn colorant composition accordingto the present invention was obtained.

[0025] On October 30 Korai turfgrass lots were sprayed at 300 ml/m² with50-fold and 100-fold dilute solutions of the thus-obtained colorantcomposition, respectively, and their subsequent conditions wereobserved. The results will be shown in comparison with those ofComparative Example 1 to be described below.

Comparative Example 1

[0026] Five (5) parts of a cyanine green (“Cyanine Green 2GN”, tradename; product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 10parts of a disazo yellow AAOA (“Seika Fast Yellow 2400”, trade name;product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 5 parts ofan anionic surfactant (“Demol EP”, trade name; product of KaoCorporation), and 80 parts of water were dispersed in a beads mill. Tothe resultant dispersion, 120 parts of a water-dispersed polymer(“Boncoat 2310”, trade name; product of Dainippon Ink & Chemicals,Incorporated) were added, whereby a lawn colorant composition of acomparative example was obtained. On October 30 Korai turfgrass lotswere sprayed at 300 ml/m² with 50-fold and 100-fold dilute solutions ofthe thus-obtained colorant composition, respectively, and theirsubsequent conditions were observed.

[0027] Comparison in the Effects of Spraying

[0028] Shortly after the spraying, no substantial difference wasobserved on coloring ability between Example 1 and ComparativeExample 1. The turfgrass lots presented external appearances which werecommensurate with the colorant concentrations.

[0029] Thirty days after the spraying, that is, on November 29, theaboveground leaves of the unsprayed turfgrass mostly withered into abrown color. The turfgrass sprayed with the colorant composition ofExample 1 retained a green color, whereas the turfgrass sprayed with thecolorant composition of Comparative Example 1 faded and presented acolor close to a withered lawn color. As a result of detailedobservation of their conditions, the aboveground parts of the turfgrassin the unsprayed lot and the lots sprayed with the lawn colorantcomposition of Comparative Example 1 were observed to be in a restingperiod and to have withered mostly, while in the lots sprayed with thelawn colorant composition of Example 1, the aboveground parts of theturfgrass presented a green color as if they were still active, andadhesion of the colorant on the surfaces of the turfgrass was observed.On the second day after the spraying, the turfgrass in each lot wasrubbed with a sheet of white paper to determine a degree of stain.Substantial stain was observed in the case of the lawn colorantcomposition of Comparative Example 1, but practically no stain wasobserved in the case of the lawn colorant composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 2

[0030] Ten (10) parts of a Prussian blue (“N650 Prussian Blue”, tradename; product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 10parts of a disazo yellow AAOA (“Seika Fast Yellow 2400”, trade name;product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 1 part of ananionic surfactant (“Demol N”, trade name; product of Kao Corporation),5 parts of a non-ionic surfactant (“Emulgen A-90”, trade name; productof Kao Corporation), 0.2 part of a defoaming agent (“Nopco NXZ”, tradename; product of San Nopco Limited), and 73 parts of water weredispersed in a beads mill. To the resultant dispersion, 20 parts of awater-soluble polymer (“Water Sol S-701”, trade name; product ofDainippon Ink & Chemicals, Incorporated) and 100 parts of awater-dispersed polymer (“Movinyl 123E”, trade name; product of HoechstSynthesis) were added, whereby a lawn colorant composition according tothe present invention was obtained.

[0031] Korai turfgrass planted on May 30 in planters were sprayed at 250ml/m² with 50-fold and 100-fold dilute solutions of the thus-obtainedcolorant composition, respectively, and the subsequent growth conditionsof the turfgrass planted in the rearing planters were observed. Theresults will be shown in comparison with those of Comparative Example 2to be described below.

Comparative Example 2

[0032] Five (5) parts of a cyanine blue (“Cyanine Blue 4920”, tradename; product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 10parts of a disazo yellow AAOA (“Seika Fast Yellow 2400”, trade name;product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 5 parts ofan anionic surfactant (“Demol N”, trade name; product of KaoCorporation), 1 part of a non-ionic surfactant (“Emulgen A-90”, tradename; product of Kao Corporation), 1 part of a defoaming agent (“NopcoNXZ”, trade name; product of San Nopco Limited), and 78 parts of waterwere dispersed in a beads mill. To the resultant dispersion, 100 partsof a water-dispersed polymer (“Movinyl 123E”, trade name; product ofHoechst Synthesis) were added, whereby a green colorant composition of acomparative example was obtained.

[0033] Korai turfgrass planted on May 30 in planters were sprayed at 250ml/m² with 50-fold and 100-fold dilute solutions of the thus-obtainedcolorant composition, respectively, and their subsequent conditions wereobserved.

[0034] Comparison in the Effects of Spraying

[0035] Shortly after the spraying, no substantial difference wasobserved on coloring ability between Example 2 and Comparative Example2. The turfgrass presented external appearances which were commensuratewith the colorant concentrations.

[0036] Sixty days after the spraying, that is, on July 31, however, theunsprayed turfgrass did not sufficiently take root, and one third of theentire ground surface was exposed. The turfgrass sprayed with the lawncolorant composition of Example 2 took root completely, and the growthof their aboveground parts was also vigorous.

EXAMPLE 3

[0037] Ten (10) parts of a Prussian blue (“N650 Prussian Blue”, tradename; product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 10parts of a disazo yellow AAOA (“Seika Fast Yellow 2400”, trade name;product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 1 part of ananionic surfactant (“Demol N”, trade name; product of Kao Corporation),5 parts of a non-ionic surfactant (“Emulgen A-90”, trade name; productof Kao Corporation), 0.2 part of a defoaming agent (“Nopco NXZ”, tradename; product of San Nopco Limited), and 73 parts of water weredispersed in a beads mill. To the resultant dispersion, 5 parts of awater-soluble polymer (“Water Sol S-753”, trade name; product ofDainippon Ink & Chemicals, Incorporated), 80 parts of a water-dispersedpolymer (“Polysol EVA AD-6”, trade name; product of Showa HighpolymerCo., Ltd.) and 50 parts of an aqueous solution of chitosan (“DaichitosanW-100”, product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.) wereadded, whereby a lawn colorant composition according to the presentinvention was obtained.

Comparative Example 3

[0038] Three (3) parts of a cyanine blue (“Cyanine Blue 4920”, tradename; product of Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 2parts of a cyanine green (“Cyanine Green 2GN”, product of DainichiseikaColor & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 10 parts of a disazo yellow AAMX(“Seika Fast Yellow 2600”, trade name; product of Dainichiseika Color &Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.), 5 parts of an anionic surfactant (“Demol N”,trade name; product of Kao Corporation), 1 part of a non-ionicsurfactant (“Emulgen A-90”, trade name; product of Kao Corporation), 1part of a defoaming agent (“Nopco NXZ”, trade name; product of San NopcoLimited), and 78 parts of water were dispersed in a beads mill. To theresultant dispersion, 100 parts of a water-dispersed polymer (“PolysolEVA AD-6” trade name; product of Showa Highpolymer Co., Ltd.) wereadded, whereby a green colorant composition of a comparative example wasobtained.

[0039] On October 30 Korai turfgrass lots were sprayed at 300 ml/m² with50-fold and 100-fold dilute solutions of the thus-obtained colorantcompositions of Example 3 and Comparative Example 3, respectively, andtheir subsequent conditions were observed.

[0040] Comparison in the Effects of Spraying

[0041] Shortly after the spraying, no substantial difference wasobserved on coloring ability between Example 3 and Comparative Example3. The turfgrass lots presented external appearances which werecommensurate with the colorant concentrations.

[0042] Thirty days after the spraying, that is, on November 29, theaboveground leaves of the unsprayed turfgrass mostly withered into abrown color. The turfgrass sprayed with the colorant composition ofExample 3 retained a green color, whereas the turfgrass sprayed with thecolorant composition of Comparative Example 3 faded and presented acolor close to a withered lawn color. As a result of detailedobservation of their conditions, the aboveground parts of the turfgrassin the unsprayed lot and the lots sprayed with the lawn colorantcomposition of Comparative Example 3 were observed to be in a restingperiod and to have withered mostly, while in the lots sprayed with thelawn colorant composition of Example 3, the aboveground parts of theturfgrass presented a green color as if they were still active, andadhesion of the colorant on the surfaces of the turfgrass was observed.On the second day after the spraying, the turfgrass in each lot wasrubbed with a sheet of white paper to determine a degree of stain.Substantial stain was observed in the case of the lawn colorantcomposition of Comparative Example 3, but practically no stain wasobserved in the case of the lawn colorant composition of Example 3.

1. A lawn colorant composition having rearing effects, said lawncolorant composition being composed of a pigment and an adhesivetherefor, wherein said pigment comprises a blue pigment composed as aprimary component of a compound represented by the following formula:MFe[Fe(CN)₆] wherein M represents an alkali metal atom or an ammoniumgroup, one of said two Fe atoms is a divalent ion, and the other Fe atomis a trivalent ion; and said adhesive comprises a water-dispersedpolymer and a water-soluble polymer having compatibility with saidwater-dispersed polymer.
 2. A lawn colorant composition according toclaim 1 , wherein said water-soluble polymer is contained in aproportion of from 1 to 30 wt. % based on said water-dispersed polymer.